Barbarity. Crimes against humanity. Genocide. These are just a few of the accusations leveled against Israel after it commenced its campaign to remove Hamas, the Iranian-backed terrorist organization, from Gaza after it was brutally attacked Israel on October 7, 2023; an attack which resulted in the murder of 1,200 people, the burning and beheading of babies in front of their parents, the barbaric rape women and young girls, and the kidnapping of 240 people.
Tragically, Reuters announced today that 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the IDF embarked on defeating Hamas so that the terrorist regime would never pose a threat to the citizens of Israel again. Of those 30,000 deaths in Gaza, Israel estimates that 12,000 were Hamas terrorists along with another 1,000 terrorists who were killed on October 7. But Hamas claims that only 6,000 terrorists have been eliminated since that horrific Saturday last October (Israel National News).
This last Sunday, Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu was interviewed about Israel’s war against Hamas on CBS’s “Face the Nation.” Regarding the status of war and specifically the IDF’s operation in Rafah, which is located in southern Gaza, Netanyahu said, “[O]nce we begin the Rafah operation, the intense phase of the fighting is weeks away from completion, not months, weeks away from completion. . . [W]e’ve already destroyed 18 of the 24 Hamas terrorist battalions. . . four of them are concentrated in. . . Rafah. We can’t leave the last Hamas stronghold without taking care of it. . . But understand, too, that I’ve asked the army to submit to me a double plan, first. . . to enable the evacuation of the Palestinian civilians in Gaza, and, obviously, second, to destroy the remaining Hamas battalions. That gets us a real, real distance towards the completion of our victory, and. . . we’re not going to give it up. If we have a deal, it’ll be delayed somewhat. But it’ll happen. If we don’t have a deal, we’ll do it anyway. It has to be done. Because total victory is our goal, and total victory is within reach. Not months away, weeks away once we begin the operation” (Breitbart).
Please notice what Netanyahu said. Israel is only weeks away from defeating Hamas once it begins its Rafah operation but it is seeking to protect and preserve the lives of innocent women and children in Gaza as it pursues victory.
Barbarity? Crimes against humanity? Genocide? Clearly these are false accusations.
In fact, John Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point and co-author of Understanding Urban Warfare, recently praised Israel’s efforts to minimize civilian casualties while seeking to defeat an entrenched enemy.
Spencer observed,
“Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza has inevitably drawn comparisons to other battles or wars, both modern and from the past. These comparisons are mostly used to make the case that Israel’s operations in Gaza are the most destructive in history, or the deadliest in history.
Yet while the use of historical analogy may be tempting for armchair pundits, in the case of Israel’s current war, the comparisons are often poorly cited, the data used inaccurate, and crucial context left out. Given the scale and context of an enemy purposely entrenched in densely populated urban areas, as well as the presence of tunnels, hostages, rockets, attackers that follow the laws of war while defenders purposely do not, and proximity between the frontlines and the home front, there is basically no historical comparison for this war. . .
The truth is that Israel has painstakingly followed the laws of armed conflict and implemented many steps to prevent civilian casualties, despite enormous challenges. Israel’s military faced over 30,000 Hamas militants in over 400 miles of defensive and offensive tunnels embedded in and under civilian areas, populations and protected sites such as hospitals, mosques, schools, and United Nations facilities across multiple cities” (Newsweek).
Yet, the same cannot be said when it comes to Hamas and how they view and value the lives of innocent women and children living under their iron fist in Gaza. Now, before you question what I just said, please listen to the confessions of the notorious Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar.
Today it was reported that Sinwar is quite pleased with the progress that Hamas has made in its efforts to defeat Israel and lobby the world to champion its cause. He sent a message through a carrier to the terrorists hunkered down in the network of tunnels under hospitals, mosques, schools, and United Nations buildings in Gaza and to any terrorists hiding among the civilians in Gaza.
Listen to this message of hope and encouragement to Hamas from their leader. . . Sinwar said, “Don’t worry, we have the Israelis right where we want them.” (Israel National News)
When I read that quote, I have to ask, “What does Sinwar know that Netanyahu does not know?”
Now, please compare what you are about to hear from Sinwar with what Netanyahu said on Sunday.
Speaking of the casualties in Gaza, Sinwar said that “high numbers of civilian casualties are one of Hamas’ main goals in the war, since such numbers would increase international pressure on Israel to end the fighting, after which Sinwar would be able to come out of hiding and announce Hamas’ victory and continued rule in Gaza.” (Israel National News)
Barbarity? Crimes against humanity? Genocide? Clearly, Sinwar and his followers are willing to do whatever it takes to defeat Israel, from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, even if that means using innocent civilian women and children in Gaza.
And yet Israel is continually accused of being barbaric, genocidal maniacs. This is pure evil. This is demonic. May the lies be revealed as the truth shines its light upon them.
In times such as these, it’s important to remember that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is on the throne. He is the God who sees all, hears all, and knows all. Nothing escapes is watchful eye. And I am confident that our God is answering our prayers for Israel in her hour of need.
But I also ask that you join me in praying for the innocent women and children in Gaza, that God will shine His light upon them and draw many to saving faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.
Our God is mighty to save.
by Dr. Matthew Dodd | February 29, 2024